Lead paint rules require contractor certification

full article

(AP) — New rules for lead paint removal go into effect April 22, adding a bit more time and cost to some home renovations.

The Environmental Protection Agency will require all contractors be certified to take out lead paint. Previously, no certification was required and homeowners could “opt-out” of lead-safe practices if no children under six years old or pregnant women lived in the house.

The EPA estimates the new rules will add an hour to project clean-up and add just under $100 per job for most renovations. The agency estimates about 38 million homes and apartment units, or 40 percent of the housing stock, contain lead paint.

The remodeling industry, however, said the EPA’s cost estimates are too low. Members of the National Association of Home Builders have estimated the cost will climb between $500 and $1,500 on larger jobs because it could extend each day’s cleanup by hours…

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Grand Rapids, MI

Check out this great photo on the City of Grand Rapids Page:

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Recent Grand Rapids Market Trends from NAR

The National Association of Realtors has released some end of the year market trends for our area.
For the full report, click here (50K PDF).

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HUD Incentive Expires this Week!

If you’ve worked with me much over the past year, you probably know that Ive been a big proponent of HUD homes.
From now til 2/12/10, you can still put $100 down and get a HUD Home with an FHA loan. You will also receive $2500 cash back at close on any offer over $25,000. Rehab loans available.
Combined with the 10% 2010 Obama tax credit, this is the best deal Ive ever seen for a first time buyer.
Last chance: Email me if you’d like to receive a list of HUD homes in your targeted area and price range!

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Grand Rapids: State of the City Address

Mayor George Heartwell delivered his State of the City address Saturday morning before a packed crowd at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. He was introduced by Grand Valley State University President Tom Haas as “progressive, hardworking, compassionate, yet tough-minded.”

more:
Link

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Featured Neighborhood Profile: Heritage Hill

Market Data Compiled 1/25/10 by Pete Bruinsma, GRI.

Sales in past year:

Frequently Requested Heritage Hill Info:

  • Heritage Hill is one of Grand Rapids’ oldest neighborhoods. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971
  • Downtown location borders downtown businesses, schools, US-131, I-196/96, as well as the Medical Mile and Uptown.
  • Property tax millage:  Homestead: 29.76 / Non-Homestead: 47.76
  • Price/square foot $91.23
  • Health facilities
  • Parks and recreational facilities
  • Convenient to many restaurants, cafes, shopping in all directions
  • Population: Population 4,429  Age 18-64: 86%

    • More info on Crime statistics Population Density, Owners vs Renters, School District, can be found here.
    Great Article: http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/Cities/HeritageHill/

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    I-196 Construction Video

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    Paragon under federal scrutiny.

    http://tinyurl.com/yjlu6pk
    mi-holland_logo

    Holland, MI —

    Federal and state regulators have slapped Paragon Bank & Trust in Holland with a cease-and-desist order seeking improvements in banking operations mostly related to lending and collection issues.

    The order was issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the state Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation.

    It demands that the bank “cease and desist from the following unsafe or unsound banking practices” including “engaging in hazardous lending and lax collection practices” and “operating with an inadequate level of capital protection,” as well as operating with excessive level of bad assets and loans, inadequate liquidity, inadequate earnings and “inadequate allowance for loan and lease losses.”

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